BALLARD RELECTS ON CAREER

It hasn't been the easiest of seasons for Sunderland's playoff hero, Dan Ballard. A season with time out through injuries, and time spent on the bench. He reflected on his career so far, from starting off with Arsenal before coming to Wearside.

PIVOTAL MOMENT IN CAREER

"That was a really pivotal point in my career. I'd sort of been a right-back for a long time, then moved into midfielder but I was never a natural midfielder. I've always been a defender at heart. I had a really good game against Bayern and I got offered a scholarship to go back."

ALMOST DIDN'T SIGN FOR ARSENAL

"I'd been really close to not going and just signing for Stevenage as well. They'd offered me a two-year scholarship and I'd had to ask them to wait a week. Some people told me not to do that and to sign for Stevenage because there was something there for me, but in my head I had to go and give that game a go! That was really the first year I started to improve and really started to play in the team. When I look back, I don't think they gave me that opportunity to play in that friendly because of my football ability. I was respectful, worked really hard and I think they just wanted to give me a chance."

COMING TO WEARSIDE

"I just saw the size of the club. It's an amazing football club and when I look back at the last three years in terms of my personal growth and my journey, I'm just so glad it's happened the way it's happened."

BEST FANS IN THE LAND, OR WORLD...

"We've had some tough times as a club in the last few years but this has shown the levels you can get to. I don't think there are many clubs, not just in England but in the world, that have fans who can produce an atmosphere like that."

COVENTRY CARNAGE

"It was a moment of madness, it's all a blur, it was carnage. It was actually quite an emotional moment. And then I looked over at my family after the game and I could see they were emotional. I've had thousands of messages since, thanking me and telling me it's the greatest experience they've had in football. That means a lot that so many people got so much joy out of it."

CAN'T DESCRIBE THE FEELING

"I dropped my little one at nursery this morning and some man had his daughter in his arms and was just fist pumping the air when he saw me! You can't describe the feeling of scoring that goal and what followed, it's just pure joy. I didn't get to sleep until 5 or 6 the next morning, I just couldn't get the scenes out of my head."

TOUGHT TO TAKE MEPHAM'S PLACE

"I've looked up to him all season. He's been probably you could argue our best player all season. When I found out I was starting the first thing I thought was it's gutting for Chris because he probably deserved it more."

WANT EACHOTHER TO DO WELL

"It's hard because when you're in direct competition almost it's not nice. I've had to sit on the bench a lot this season and watch so I know how it feels. He's a great guy. When I've sat on the bench I've supported him and he's done the same for these two games. To be honest, I don't think I would have taken it nearly as well as he's done. He's a great person. He's not disconnected with the group. He's right in and amongst it and it just shows what a great character he is. Obviously I've had my injury problems this year and I haven't had a run of games all season really. It's been very stop start. It was nice seeing the team do well but you also want to be a part of that."

POINT TO PROVE VS COV

"That's why I was so nervous going into the first leg, I did feel like I had something to prove. I'm just thankful the gaffer still had trust in me to start. Maybe I didn't really deserve it through my performances through the season. I only found out the day before the game. I'd worked really hard to try and get back and when I was with the team in that QPR game I just did everything I could to show I was fit and ready when really I probably wasn't, to be honest."

FEELING GOOD

"Now I've got through those games I feel really good. I must have watched the goal back 100 times. It just seems to have been all over social media. Every time I go on my phone it's there - and if the opportunity is there to watch it I watch it every time. It's great to see all the angles and just what it means to everyone."

ALWAYS APPRECIATED THE SUPPORT

"The love from the supporters and the fans, not just the football people but everyone, it's been great since day one for me here. Everyone is welcoming and friendly. My first child was born up here, we feel really settled and enjoy life up here. And now we have the opportunity to get to the Premier League."